“I WILL!”

Ezekiel 36:24-28                          (ESV)

“24 “I WILL” take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land.

25 “I WILL” sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols “I WILL” cleanse you.

26 And “I WILL” give you a new heart, and a new spirit “I WILL” put within you. And “I WILL” remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

27 And “I WILL” put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.

28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and “I WILL” be your GOD.”

Once ones eyes have been opened to SEE the Spiritual, it is sometimes difficult to understand how and why those who can’t Spiritually SEE don’t correct their ways?  Why does a drug addict keep going back to the one thing that is their greatest weakness?  Scripture says in Genesis 3:1 that the enemy is as deceitful as ANY CREATURE the ALMIGHTY ever created.  Sometimes he convinces me that although I have been bought with a price, I am a failure.  Except for the Blood of JESUS, he would be correct too!

The only way we can experience GOD’s unlimited forgiveness is to accept HIS sacrifice for our sins.  No less than EIGHT TIMES in the verses above GOD tells us “I WILL”.  GOD promises what HE WILL do regarding HIS forgiveness.   Yet, the enemy blinds us with pride and a belief that we aren’t “that bad” so we will continue living in his defeat.  

In Exodus 14:4 the Bible says “And “I WILL” harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and “I WILL” get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD." And they did so.”   Here GOD “promises” that HE will judge the sin of Pharaoh and all his hosts!  GOD’s Word, whether we like the results or not, is TRUE!   

We don’t have to look very hard to discover that GOD is a just GOD!  However, HE doesn’t say that I MIGHT, or I MAY.  HE said “I WILL” keep MY promises!  Which Promises are you looking forward to?  The one that Pharaoh got?  Or the ones that HIS Children received following Ezekiel 36?  Make no mistake, “I WILL” is going to come to be for all of us!!!!

“MAGNIFY HIM!”

Psalms 69:30-32

“30 I will praise the name of GOD with a song; I WILL “MAGNIFY HIM” with thanksgiving. 

31 This will PLEASE THE LORD more than an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs. 

32 When the humble see it they will be glad; you who seek GOD, let your hearts revive.”

Have you ever observed a young child asking for what they want?  Normally they go directly to exactly what they want at the time and then, IF THEY REMEMBER, get around to saying they love their provider, whoever the provider may be.  The recent sicknesses that have affected so many people acres our country has caused the“prayer time” at church to inundate the Throne Room of GOD with requests for healing and Divine Intervention.  And rightfully so, as GOD is the Great Physician.     

However I realized while taking requests the other night that our time to “MAGNIFY HIM” was almost non-existent because of the multitude of “needs”!  It is so easy to get “caught up” with sharing hurts, illnesses, and church problems.  But Scripture tells us that to “MAGNIFY HIM” is better than an OFFERING of “an ox or a bull with horns and hoofs”.  

Sure , Scripture also says in James 5:15  “the prayer of faith shall save the sick”.  But when we fail to “MAGNIFY HIM” do we put our wishes and others needs in front of worshiping our Creator?  Or do you think we could acknowledge how good GOD is, AND THEN ask for healing for our sisters and brothers?  

Evaluating where we are and how we are doing things, AND MAKING APPROPRIATE CHANGES, is how we grow in HIM.  Maybe by prioritizing what we bring to the altar of Grace, AND WHEN WE BRING IT, we can honor HIM while we “MAGNIFY HIM”!!!

“THE LORD SAID!”

Exodus 14:1-4                               (ESV)

“1 Then “THE LORD SAID” to Moses,

2 "Tell the people of Israel to turn back and encamp in front of Pi-hahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, in front of Baal-zephon; you shall encamp facing it, by the sea.

3 For Pharaoh will say of the people of Israel, 'They are wandering in the land; the wilderness has shut them in.'

4 And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I AM THE LORD." And they did so.”

There are many times in Scripture where GOD speaks to people without the people actually BELIEVING what HE said was TRUTH!  For instance, in the Scripture above “THE LORD SAID” I WILL GET GLORY over Pharaoh and all his hosts, yet when showed up on the horizon at the Red Sea the Israelites were in GREAT fear!  Exodus 14:10 says in part, “.....When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they FEARED GREATLY.....”!!!

But are we any better “Believers”?  GOD’s Word is literally full of Promises that we tend fail to remember, or CHOOSE to forget, that HE will never leave us or forsake us.  Yet whenever the enemy is seen on the horizon, we begin GREATLY FEARING, although we KNOW what GOD has told us!  GOD told Moses explicitly that HE was going to get Glory over Pharaoh and all his host, yet all it took to shake HIS chosen’s FAITH was to allow the enemy to show his face.  

When the enemy shows his face around me, do I do FEAR GREATLY?  Or are my EYES so fixed on “the prize” that I can’t SEE the enemy as a threat because I am admiring GOD’s Omnipotence?  When what “THE LORD SAID” is before you, nothing should interfere with our vision of what is ahead.  Philippians 1:21 says “For to me to live is CHRIST, and to die is gain”!  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, my prayer is that I will keep my EYES set on what “THE LORD SAID” and not be concerned with what the enemy tries to put in my way!!!

“POWER OF CHRIST!”

2 Corinthians 12:7-10                   (ESV)

“7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited.

8 THREE TIMES I pleaded with the LORD about this, that it should leave me.

9 But he said to me, "MY grace is sufficient for you, for MY POWER is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the “POWER OF CHRIST” may rest upon me.

10 For the sake of CHRIST, then, I AM CONTENT WITH WEAKNESSES, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

A few days ago I was driving to a small city about 20 miles from where I live.  My cellphone charger had been placed in my wife’s vehicle the previous weekend as my granddaughter had been in town, and everyone knows grandchildren make your entire world get radically different!  Upon putting my charger back in my vehicle I almost instinctively hooked my phone up to it, but it was fully charged.  That is when I had a TRUTH revealed to me that almost amazed me!

The Apostle Paul had a “weakness”, a thorn in the flesh, that he wanted removed presumably so he could further glorify GOD.  The same GOD that I worship as being SUPREME has displayed to me DISTINCTLY that HE is more than capable of removing anything HE wishes from my life, whether I want HIM to or not!  Before I was put into the coma in 2007, I was EXTREMELY “quick-tongued”.  ALMIGHTY GOD “changed” my ability (AND ultimately my desire) to speak so quickly as the Brain Hemorrhage occurred in the Word Recall portion of my brain.  No longer do words just “flow” from my mouth, a lot of times they have to be thought out rather deeply before I am able to speak.  

The Apostle Paul wanted his “weakness” removed from him, so much so that he prayed for deliverance from his “weakness” THREE TIMES!  GOD told him that MY POWER is made PERFECT in your weakness.  Paul responded “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the “POWER OF CHRIST” may rest upon me.”  Having the “POWER OF CHRIST” rest upon him was more important to Paul than people thinking he was superior than them because of his lifestyle, even if it meant he had to be CONTENT WITH WEAKNESSES!  

Having a cellphone with a dead battery doesn’t seem to be worth having!  But when a DEAD cellphone is hooked up to a CHARGER, it operates like it has a full charge!  Our lives can seem rather useless, as well, unless we are connected to our CHARGER.  We must be connected to the “POWER OF CHRIST” in order to function as we were created to function.  Don’t be guilty of continually trying to do something that ONLY the sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST can satisfy.  The “POWER OF CHRIST” is the answer, no matter what the question is!!!

“GOD HAS ASSIGNED!”

Romans 12:1-3                              (ESV)

“1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you NOT TO THINK OF HIMSELF MORE HIGHLY THAN HE OUGHT TO THINK, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that “GOD HAS ASSIGNED”.

 The Apostle Paul may have been one of the wisest, widely used, men in the New Testament, yet he says that his FAITH was given to him because “GOD HAS ASSIGNED” it to him.   In Philippians 2:8 Paul writes “And being found in human form, HE “humbled” HIMSELF by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”

Yet there are many “men of God” who act as though they are smarter than the average person because they memorize scripture better than others, or have more titles behind their names than others.  We ALL have to live the life “GOD HAS ASSIGNED” to us and reflect the love of CHRIST that we have been given.  To elevate yourself or position above where GOD has placed you is akin to placing yourself above GOD HIMSELF!  Maybe you are replacing HIS Will with your will?

The enemy has always been “the great deceiver”.  Sometimes even those who have been “called” by GOD can be hoodwinked into believing that their “shepherd” is leading them in GOD’s Work.  But GOD’s Work will NEVER contradict HIS Word, so obeying HIS Word is paramount for a Believer, in front of following an earthly leader.  And we aren’t even covering the “false prophets”!  

“GOD HAS ASSIGNED” us all a journey that HE can be Glorified in.  Have I followed that Perfect Plan for my life?  HARDLY!  Letting selfish desires and worldly things have prevented me from “walking” in HIS path.   Usually I have wanted to “RUN” the race without waiting on HIM.  

HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to constantly live according to YOUR Word and let my life be a reflection of YOUR SON, JESUS.  it is my desire to “walk” the path that YOU have set before me and live the life “GOD HAS ASSIGNED“!!!

“GOD LED!”

Exodus 13:17-18                            (ESV)

“17 When Pharaoh let the people go, GOD did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For GOD said, "Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt."

18 But “GOD LED” the people around by the way of the wilderness toward the Red Sea. And the people of Israel went up out of the land of Egypt equipped for battle.”

Recently I wrote about Hebrew 11:6 which says “And “WITHOUT FAITH” it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and HE rewards those who seek HIM.”   The best known timetable for authorship is during the first century, probably around 63 or 64 AD.  However, it has ALWAYS been a part of GOD’s Plan for mankind to WALK BY FAITH, and not just in order for us to be obedient, but so we could display what the benefits of having FAITH really are, even during “the exodus” from Egypt!  

Imagine if you will, GOD ALMIGHTY releasing HIS chosen people from 430 years of captivity and guiding them into a Promised Land about 250 Miles away.  It would only make “sense” for GOD to choose the shortest, easiest route for HIS chosen to travel, not wander for 40 years in a wilderness where they had to rely on HIM totally for their sustenance.  Yes, GOD provided for HIS children for 40 years with mamma and water and clouds of fire and shade while they Glorified HIM by defeating enemies on their journey.  

Just because we appear to be going through our own wilderness doesn’t mean we are not being led by ALMIGHTY GOD!  Perhaps ALMIGHTY GOD is leading us through something that makes NO SENSE WHATSOEVER?  Maybe you have an idea that would prove to be “more beneficial”?  Is going the shortest, easiest route on your own better than a longer, more dangerous route with GOD on your side?  

Until you have journeyed on a path being “GOD LED”, you can’t describe the peace and comfort of being EXACTLY where GOD has you.  We must be careful not to judge someone for being where “GOD LED” them to be, for learning to trust HIM in the wilderness may be worth the temporary sacrifice needed to become a tool that can be used for HIS Glory!   

I’ve often thought that if something made “sense” to a carnal person it didn’t require FAITH?  But on the other hand, if THE ONE WHO created us is wanting us to follow HIS leadership in our lives, what could make any more sense?  Having my eyes opened to SEE that I am not capable of choosing the best WAY to journey through this life is the best blessing I have ever experienced.  Becoming “GOD LED” is worth being used to prove HE IS REAL!!!

“REJOICE!”

1 Peter 4:12-14                                           (ESV)

“12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the FIERY TRIAL WHEN it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.

13 But “REJOICE” insofar as you share CHRIST's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when HIS glory is revealed.

14 If you are insulted for the name of CHRIST, you are blessed, because the SPIRIT of glory and of GOD rests upon you.”

Recently I observed a post on a social media site saying “No more winter please”!  Now I can understand that it has been cold this winter, and we all seem to enjoy spring when it comes around.  But with spring usually comes warmer weather and that usually brings thunderstorms.  Those thunderstorms can produce tornadoes that almost always bring devastation.  

Scripture instructs us to “REJOICE” when what we SEE as trials and tribulations come into our lives as JESUS CHRIST lives within us and HE WILL overcome these trials, just like HE overcame the cross!  HE was required to suffer greatly in HIS journey to the crucifixion, but HE overcame death, Hell, and the grave for my sake, and yours!  

Please take note that Scripture says WHEN fiery trials come our way, not IF they come our way!  2 Timothy 3:12 says “Indeed, ALL who desire to live a godly life in CHRIST JESUS WILL BE PERSECUTED!”  That should remove our questions about “I don’t deserve this”, and “that’s not fair”!  The last I checked PERSECUTION isn’t on the list of “fair” items to expect from your enemy?  

Yet, Scripture tells us to “REJOICE” “when” (not IF) we suffer because of CHRIST living in us?  So when you lose that job/promotion you had your heart set on, or when things seem to be constantly going against you, please know that JESUS was a perfect sacrifice for us, yet HE endured the cross all because of me!  That should cause us ALL to “REJOICE”,  no matter who we are!!!

“WITHOUT FAITH!”

Hebrews 11:6                                 (ESV)

“And “WITHOUT FAITH” it is impossible to please HIM, for whoever would draw near to GOD must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who seek HIM.”

Although I am borderline “ancient”, I do remember as a child wanting to please my mom while growing up.   Later on, I remember striving to please my grandfather, as he was the father figure in my upbringing.  Both of these people were loved dearly by me, although I didn’t tell them near enough after I was grown.   I regret not telling them, so I am pledging to do better with my current family as I mature.   

ALMIGHTY GOD should be the ONE we try to please as we live our earthly lives.  The scripture above tells us that the only way to please GOD is to trust HIM explicitly!  It is IMPOSSIBLE to not say you trust someone who you love, isn’t it?  “WITHOUT FAITH” appears to be a loaded request.   Sure, it is simple to admit there is a GOD, and that HE created this world and all that is within it!  But when you are laying on a hospital bed awaiting heart surgery where your heart is literally stopped while they work on you, it is a lot easier to SAY you have FAITH than to not be just a little scared, from my experience!  

But it is not like ALMIGHTY GOD didn’t know that heart bypass surgery just might be used in the future and HE needs to make adjustments to Scripture now!  No matter what we may face, “WITHOUT FAITH” it remains IMPOSSIBLE to please GOD.  GOD demonstrated to me that HE is in control of everything and HE doesn’t need “my help” with anything in July 2007!  I should have known that heart surgery wouldn’t be an issue after the Brain Hemorrhage?  The same GOD that was on the throne in 2007 is STILL on his throne now!  

“WITHOUT FAITH” in the same GOD that created the universes, the same GOD of my childhood, the same GOD in 2007, and the same GOD that was there for the heart surgery, HE is the ONE that will “reward we who seek HIM”!!  HE cannot be pleased “WITHOUT FAITH”!!!

“AVOID SUCH PEOPLE!”

2 Timothy 3:1-5                            (ESV)

“1 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good,

4 treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of GOD,

5 having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. ”AVOID SUCH PEOPLE!”.”

Recently in doing a Bible study I wrote about surrounding yourself with people who influence your life in a positive manner.  Being around those whose language and behavior cause improvement in the way you communicate can be one of the best things you can do.   In my writings, I explained that copying what they said was more than okay as long as they were quoting Scripture!  

The same way that positive comments and actions influence behavior of those surrounding us, negative comments can drag a uplifting conversation down , and quickly!  Identifying negative thoughts and comments has to be worked on, as the enemy is “crafty” and uses anything at his disposal to steal, kill and destroy!  Being able to identify the enemy (and his tactics) is something that a lot of people who are not as experienced haven’t developed adequately.   

Regardless of how mature we think we are, Scripture states that we should “AVOID SUCH PEOPLE” in our lives.  The list of actions we should steer clear of is quite lengthy.  The list of things that COULD cause cancer is likewise rather long.  Some people ignore the warning signs of cancer, not wanting to make changes in their lifestyle.   We MUST “AVOID SUCH PEOPLE” or we are begging for trouble, it’s just a matter of time!!!

“IMPLANTED WORD!”

James 1:19-21                               (ESV)

“19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the “IMPLANTED WORD”, which is able to save your souls.”

These days it seems that there is an unlimited number of items vying for our attention.  The enemy is doing everything he can to get our focus on anything except JESUS, for HE is the ONLY ANSWER to this world’s chaotic problems!  Even (and sometimes ESPECIALLY) when we are trying to get alone with GOD, the enemy will bombard our minds with a number of worldly distractions to break the fellowship we have with our Heavenly Father.   Satan can’t compete with the peace and joy that comes from ABOVE, so he attempts to keep us so busy with things he deceives us into believing that are important to our existence?  

Only by having the “IMPLANTED WORD” stored up in our hearts and minds do we have a prayer of living for THE LORD.  Psalms 119:11 says “I have stored up YOUR Word in my heart, that I might not sin against YOU.”  John 1:14 says “...the Word became flesh and dwelt among us....”.  Since JESUS is the WORD, shouldn’t we readily understand that the “IMPLANTED WORD” can save our souls???  

Do you recognize why the enemy tries to keep us so busy now?  The clutter and noise of “this world” is just one of the tools satan uses to prevent us from celebrating WHO we need to be Worshipping!  The “IMPLANTED WORD” will NOT return void (Isaiah 55:21), so the enemy wants to prevent us from seeking the “IMPLANTED WORD”.  

Even though I am “the chief of sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15) and fail HIM daily, my prayer is that the “IMPLANTED WORD” will spring forth from my life and JESUS will be made famous!  

“THE HEART OF MAN!”

1 Corinthians 2:9-10                    (ESV)

“9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor “THE HEART OF MAN” imagined, what GOD has prepared for those who love HIM"- 

10 these things GOD has revealed to us through the SPIRIT. For the SPIRIT searches everything, even the depths of GOD.”

The Apostle Paul, in my opinion, was one of the most anointed writers during the times he sojourned on this earth.  His writings were inspired by the Holy Spirit and continue to be used by ALMIGHTY GOD to transform lives today.   So when he writes “THE HEART OF MAN” cannot imagine, to me that infers that human minds aren’t capable of putting into words the things GOD has prepared for we who love HIM?

When I see people grieving because loved ones have gone on to their eternal reward, the thought of 2 Corinthians 5:8 (Absent from the body, present with the LORD) comes to my mind and their loved one praising JESUS around the throne of GOD!  I know when my mother went to Heaven, I was very emotional for a week or so, then It was revealed to me that she was in pain no longer and “THE HEART OF MAN” could not fathom the joy she was experiencing!  Why would I be sad about that???

No, I said many times I wouldn’t wish my mother back to “this world” and all of its troubles for anything!!  Not when she has been where “THE HEART OF MAN” cannot describe.  When will I accept that THE WORD OF GOD is as factual as the air we breathe?  If it says “THE HEART OF MAN” has not imagined what GOD has prepared for us, then believe it!!!

“SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES!”

Acts 9:16-19                                  (ESV)

“16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."

17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

18 And immediately something like “SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES”, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;

19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.”

There is MUCH discussion these days about why we don’t see miracles like they did in Biblical times?  After all, GOD hasn’t lost any of HIS Power, has HE?  I am of the belief that many times we see someone with an amazing recovery from a serious condition and we attribute it to medicine, or worse, luck!!!  

It is my belief that every time we inhale oxygen and our bodies mix that oxygen into our bloodstream, a miracle is happening. How else can LIFE be explained?  You can give me all kinds of scientific details and explanations, but then you have to explain why some never draw a breath after their last?  

Most are aware of the Brain Hemorrhage I experienced in 2007.  My medical records from September 25, 2007 in part says, “Patient sustained a massive Hemorrhagic Stroke on July 09.  He was in the ICU for over a month and on the ventilator for much of that time..........He had right sided hemiplegia.  However, he has had an remarkable recovery THAT COULD ONLY BE DEFINED AS A MIRACLE FROM GOD!”   My doctors did an amazing job, but this doctor gave credit where it was due!  He RECOGNIZED where the miracle came from and I’m certainly grateful he did.  

A couple of years ago, a 20 year old friend had his aorta rupture at his home.  He was rushed to the hospital and transferred to a big city hospital. Surgery was performed and he is alive today!  Another 17 year old friend came home from a workout a few months ago and complained of a migraine headache.  When her parents (health care professionals) ascertained how sick she was, they rushed her to the hospital and emergency surgery was performed to fix the Aneurysm in her brain!  Without a doubt, both of these patients are miracles from GOD, and those close to their situations RECOGNIZE that!  

Miracles happen every day, multiple times a day!  Being able to SEE them, I believe, is a gift from GOD that not everyone can experience.   In the scripture above, the “SCALES FELL FROM HIS EYES” and Saul could see again, when previously he was blinded!  The determining factor was GOD’s timing!  There have been many times when I have been looking at a situation, yet I couldn’t SEE the issue that needed to be dealt with.   It is my belief that GOD causes the “SCALES FELL FROM OUR EYES” exactly when HE will receive glory and honor for our remedial actions?  

FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to be ready to be used by YOU to minister to needs that YOU reveal to me, when YOU reveal them to me!  I pray the “SCALES FELL FROM MY EYES” and I will be a testimony for YOU!!!

“THE TREE!”

Genesis 2:15-17                            (ESV)

“15 The LORD GOD took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

16 And the LORD GOD commanded the man, saying, "You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,

17 but of “THE TREE” of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."”

Having heard these verses from my childhood, I have never “tilled” this ground much, always assuming that man’s disobedience was what should be focused on??  But this morning ALMIGHTY GOD is causing me to look through a different lens as I consider what Adam was offered, and tempted with, by the enemy so long ago.  

GOD “commanded” that man (at the time it was only Adam) abstain from partaking of “THE TREE” of knowledge of good and evil.  HE wanted us to “live by FAITH” (Hebrews 11:6) and TRUST in HIM!   Of course, Adam (and Eve) chose to disobey their Creator (as we most assuredly would have done) and mankind has been living in a fallen state since.   

As previously mentioned, Hebrews 11:6 says “....Without FAITH, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please GOD....”.   Our lack of FAITH displays itself in the way our lives are lived out and the paths we often find ourselves on.   Isn’t it amazing how we were “commanded” to avoid “THE TREE” of knowledge of good and evil, and JESUS has to be suspended on “THE TREE” to redeem our Souls on Calvary?  And the only way we can be redeemed IS STILL FAITH IN HIM????

There are MANY things that this person does not have the answers to, and I am not ashamed to admit it!  But I TRUST in the ONE WHO does have the answers and I am so glad HE paid the price to redeem me on “THE TREE” that wonderful day!  

“NOT BY SIGHT!”

2 Corinthians 5:6-9                                    (ESV)

“6 So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the LORD,

7 for we walk by faith, “NOT BY SIGHT”.

8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the LORD.

9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please HIM.”

Even though we live in “this world”, we don’t have to assimilate to its mandates and principles.  Usually because we REFUSE to BELIEVE (FAITH), we sometimes CHOOSE to abide by the rules of “this world” to attain what we can physically see, instead of the blessings GOD has available to us.  Most of the time we are moving at such a fast pace (to keep up with “this world”) that we don’t/won’t wait for THE LORD to bless us with HIS BLESSINGS!!!

However, sometimes “circumstances” dictate that we have to walk by faith, and “NOT BY SIGHT”!  It seems like the first forty six years of my life I lived by running as fast as I could as long as I had the resources to keep the train on its tracks.  But when GOD decided to make me “pause”, HE didn’t leave me any options.  I couldn’t buy/spend my way out of this condition.  I couldn’t negotiate a better outcome.  GOD placed me into a drug-induced coma for seventeen days, and I had absolutely no input into the decision making process!  

On July 29, 2007 doctors determined that it was time to bring me out of the coma.  Again, no one consulted me before the decision was made.  I was TOTALLY and COMPLETELY at the mercy of someone else!  The darkest valley of my life had been overcome and I most definitely made it “NOT BY SIGHT”!  I made it with as little contribution as I can remember ever having in my entire life.  

Have I learned anything about waiting on THE LORD since?  WALKING BY FAITH is not for the weak in SPIRIT, nor the Spiritually immature.  Most of us want to RUN BY SIGHT and hope and pray that ALMIGHTY GOD directs us down the correct path.  Scripture REQUIRES us to WALK BY FAITH, “NOT BY SIGHT” and TRUST GOD with the results!  FATHER IN HEAVEN, cause me to WALK BY FAITH, “NOT BY SIGHT” knowing that YOU could lead me to the Red Sea, but YOU will get glory over my adversary if that is what YOU choose!  Just because I can’t SEE a way out shouldn’t make a difference, because I WALK BY FAITH, “NOT BY SIGHT!!!”

“YOU MEANT EVIL!”

Genesis 50:15-21                          (ESV)

“15 When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, "It may be that Joseph will hate us and PAY US BACK FOR ALL THE EVIL THAT WE DID TO HIM."

16 So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father gave this command before he died:

17 'Say to Joseph, "Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you."' And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the GOD of your father." Joseph wept when they spoke to him.

18 His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, "Behold, we are your servants."

19 But Joseph said to them, "Do not fear, for am I in the place of GOD?

20 As for you, “YOU MEANT EVIL” against me, but GOD meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

21 So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones." Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

There have been many times that I have been done wrong by people who I felt really loved me.  Why did they treat me so badly when the opportunity presented itself to them?  Could they not have been more thoughtful and considerate?  Why didn’t they see what they were doing to me?  

Nobody ever had a better case for revenge than Joseph!  His brothers were jealous of him and sold him into slavery because of GOD’s Plan.  They were going to kill him, (Genesis 37:20) but decided to sell him to foreigners as a slave.  So Joseph went from being a favorite child to a slave all because his brothers were jealous!  And their reasoning was purely self-motivation!!

Probably, if I had been in Joseph’s position, I would have devised a scheme to get even with my brothers, or at least remind them of how much paid and suffering they had caused me.  But Joseph knew that GOD had a Plan and he was simply a tool to glorify GOD!  His “pride” would have to be put aside and GOD would have to be Glorified!!

When his brothers “saw” they had been “found out”, they figured they would have to explain themselves.   But Joseph said “As for you, “YOU MEANT EVIL” against me, but GOD meant it for good”!  Joseph could now SEE that the evil his brothers had performed only led to GOD ALMIGHTY being Glorified in the end!  Sometimes we have to experience “bad times” so GOD can be Glorified!  HEAVENLY FATHER, cause me to SEE that my pride isn’t as important as YOU being Glorified, even when “YOU MEANT EVIL” happens to me!!!

“GOOD TREASURE!”

Luke 6:43-45                                              (ESV)

“43 "For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit,

44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.

45 The good person out of the “GOOD TREASURE” of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”

Formerly my speech was very harsh at times, maybe even considered mean spirited.  In my younger years, my main goal was to get a laugh out of people, and it didn’t matter who I had to offend.  It became more important to be “the star of the show” than to BE KIND to others around me.  Thankfully, ALMIGHTY GOD wasn’t finished with me, and HE continues to refine me to become more like HIM.

Insecurity and low self confidence were the largest tools used by the enemy to cause me to act as I did.  As I matured and allowed GOD to change my actions, HE has made me to realize that I am not meant to be funny all of the time.  When HE digs down deep inside me, I pray HE finds “GOOD TREASURE” that brings glory and honor to HIS Name!  

While it’s true that HE has A LOT of work remaining to shape me into a vessel HE can be Glorified in, HE hasn’t given up on me and continues refining me.  HE has a lot of weeds to pull from my garden, but I pray HE will find “GOOD TREASURE” every now and then that HE will be Glorified in!!!